The Full Extent of His LoveJOHN 13:1-17

Luke 22:24“a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest”

To wash the feet of the guests at a feast was the office of a slave

Jesus was able to ‘demote’ Himself willingly because: He knew that God was in control

of His life and ministry. He knew that God was the source

of His mission in life. Jesus had an eternal perspective

rather than a temporal one.

Jesus was able to ‘demote’ Himself willingly because: Being a servant was Christ’s identity.

Identity precedes and affects behavior.

Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (or slave), being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Servant / Slave = Doulos (see Ex. 21:1-6; Deut. 15:12-17) A bond-servant is a slave who says

“I love my master and do not want

to leave you” voluntarily giving up freedom to walk away

One who is devoted to their master to the disregard of their own interests.

Servant / Slave = Doulos “Paul, a doulos of Christ Jesus, called to be an

apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1)

“Simon Peter, a doulos and apostle of Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 1:1)

“James, a doulos of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” (James 1:1)

“Jude, a doulos of Jesus Christ and a brother of James…” (Jude 1:1)

He made it known by sending his angel to his doulos, John (Rev. 1:1)

Vs. 6-8 It is as if Jesus said: “Peter, are you

going to be too proud to let me do

this for you?” We must let go of pride! To serve as Jesus served requires

humility. Servants give up their prestige,

their place, their rights

Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a doulos of Christ.

Vs. 16-1716 I tell you the truth, no doulos is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Our identity precedes and affects our behavior.